Love it or hate it, you can’t go two blocks without noticing a very common landscape plant – the Bougainvillea. I, for one, am definitely in the “love it” group. Bougainvillea is a riot of colour, coming in all sizes, shapes, and forms which make it a favourite curb appeal booster for many Australians. It is especially a beautiful sight when planted in the yards of homes near the coast and places with Mediterranean and Spanish architectural influences.
Choosing a Bougainvillea
The abundance of varieties can make it overwhelming to choose from all the different Bougainvillea plants for sale Australia nurseries offer. Usually, a lot depends on the local weather and type of soil. Generally, deep red Bougainvillea plants with darker foliage look great, and thrive even better, in homes in the coastal areas. Orange and yellow are also a common sight in well-drained soils and sunny spots. Whereas inland, you’ll see whites or tinges of pink. There are also double-flowered and variegated Bougainvilleas for some extra pizazz in your landscape.
Putting It to Use in the Landscape
The many varieties of Bougainvillea plants for sale Australia homeowners can choose from also means that they can easily find one to suit their space and landscape. Vine Bougainvilleas are the most common out there – these are used for decorating walls, hiding unsightly exterior elements, decorating an arbour or providing shade with a pergola. Prune them regularly to control their growth as they can quickly expand across all the available area.
There are also bush variants of the plant that can be transformed into gorgeous privacy hedges, or statement shrubs. The canes usually need 2 years to grow into the required size, after which you can trim them into the contours you like. To make the shrub denser, prune back the soft wood stems after the first bloom (and don’t worry, they’ll bloom again in a couple of weeks). You can also come across dwarf varieties which make a great choice for ground coverage together with flowers, like jasmine, to create a contrast of shapes and scents.
Caring for It
When it comes to caring for this plant, remember one thing – water it deeply the first time around. While they do thrive in sunny and warm climates, Bougainvillea plants need to be watered well and drained out when freshly planted. After their growth is established, they become drought tolerant and are able to survive for up to 9 months without being watered (only rained on, that is). On the other hand, if you overwater it it will lose its colour, develop diseases and rot.
As it is a very eager grower, this plant needs regular trimming. Do this in mid-winter to establish the shape you want it to have for the summer. But if there’s any potential risk of frost on the horizon, it’s best to postpone pruning for a later time. And when you do so, make sure to wear gloves as most Bougainvilleas tend to have pointy thorns. If you want more blooms, it’s important to know how to properly trim and neaten your plant.
